Sensitive Site Selection Worksheet / Environmental Monitoring

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 

Adverse effects potentialDescription of site Select score from Table 1Potential for exposure (NA= not applicable)Distance from field to site 

4 = 0-99 feet 3 = 100-249 feet 2 = 250-499 feet 1 = 500-999 feet 0 = More than 1000 feet or NA 

Prevailing Winds 1 = Generally towards site 

0 = Generally not towards site or NA 

Soil type 2 = Relatively non-porous (clay) 

1 = Moderately (loamy) 0 = Highly porous (sandy) or NA 

Slope 1 = Generally down towards site 

0 = Generally not towards site or NA 

Natural or manmade barrier present 

1 = No 0 = Yes or NA 

Risk Assessment Score (Column totals) 

Risk Assessment

Environmental Monitoring Strategy

9 to 12 = High Risk Monitoring highly recommended 5 to 8 = Moderate Risk Monitoring recommended 1 to 4 = Low Risk Monitor if time and resources permit 

Refer to the your program’s Environmental Monitoring Plan

or contact the USDA-APHIS Environmental Monitoring Team at 301-851-2351 or -2345 for information on the use of this form. Please photocopy this form as needed. 
Example

In this example a geographically large area is under treatment by aerial and ground 

applied malathion. The program manager has identified many sensitive sites based on 

the definition in the USDA-APHIS Environmental Monitoring Plan. The program feels 

that existing environmental monitoring staff cannot effectively sample all sites during 

program operations. An inventory of sites has been completed: 

EM staff visited and evaluated each of the sites. 

The potential for adverse effects score was selected from table 1 and entered into the 

worksheet. Information gathered during the site survey was used to complete the rest 

of the worksheet. The total risk assessment score was calculated and entered in the 

last row of the worksheet. Table 3 provided guidance in selecting an appropriate 

environmental monitoring strategy for the site. 

The experience and knowledge of the EM staff was also applied to select the most 

appropriate strategy. Five sites were used in the example. The EMC will implement the 

recommended environmental monitoring strategy in 4 out of the 5 areas. Although Mr. 

Jones residence is scored a low risk site and is over 1000ft from the treatment area, it 

will be monitored during each treatment. The EMC is familiar with Mr. Jones and 

knows he will log a compliant after every treatment anyway. 

Additional worksheets were completed to characterize the environmental sampling 

needs in the remainder of the zone. 
Sensitive Site Selection Worksheet / Environmental Monitoring

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 

Adverse effects potentialDescription of site Methodist 

church 

County 

High 

School 

Mr Jones 

home, fish 

pond 

Day care 

center 

E&T 

nesting 

area 

Select score from Table 1 2 2 3 3 3Potential for human, environmental or non-target species exposureDistance from field to site 

4 = 0-99 feet 3 = 100-249 feet 2 = 250-499 feet 1 = 500-999 feet 0 = More than 1000 feet or not applicable 3 2 0 4 4

Prevailing Winds 1 = Generally towards site 

0 = Generally not towards site or not applicable 

0 1 1 0 1

0Soil type 2 = Relatively non-porous (clay) 

1 = Moderately (loamy) 0 = Highly porous (sandy) or not applicable 

0 1 1 0 1

Slope 1 = Generally down towards site 

0 = Generally not towards site or not applicable 

0 1 1 0 0

Natural or manmade barrier present 

1 = No 0 = Yes or not applicable 0 0 1 1

0

Risk Assessment Score (Column totals) 5 7 7 8 9

Risk A

ssessment Environmental monitoring Strategy

9 to 12 = High Risk Monitoring highly recommended 5 to 8 = Moderate Risk Monitoring recommended 1 to 4 = Low Risk Monitor if time and resources permit 

Refer to the your program’s Environmental Monitoring Plan 

or contact the USDA-APHIS Environmental Monitoring Team at 301-851-2351 or -2345 for information on the use of this form. Please photocopy this form as needed.